Wildlife TV watching
Who doesn’t love watching wildlife documentaries, especially if it’s narrated by the warm vocal sound of Sir David Attenborough?
There has certainly been a surge in recent years of high quality documentaries about Africa’s wildlife great and small. We will share some of our favourites with you here. Sit back and enjoy the shows.
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Virunga
This is the incredibly moving, true story of a group of brave men and women risking their lives to build a better future in remote Africa for the endangered mountain gorillas. It reveals the gripping realities of life in the Congo.
“In the forested depths of eastern Congo lies Virunga National Park, one of the most bio-diverse places in the world and home to the last of the mountain gorillas. In this wild, but enchanted environment, a small and embattled team of park rangers – including an ex-child soldier turned ranger, a carer of orphan gorillas and a Belgian conservationist – protect this UNESCO world heritage site from armed militia, poachers and the dark forces struggling to control Congo’s rich natural resources. When the newly formed M23 rebel group declares war in May 2012, a new conflict threatens the lives and stability of everyone and everything they’ve worked so hard to protect.”
Watch the trailer below. The full documentary is available on Netflix.
The Last Lions
This sensational documentary is a National Geographic piece that was filmed by Dereck and Beverly Joubert in Botswana back in 2011.
“Fifty years ago there were close to half-a-million lions in Africa. Today there are around 20,000. To make matters worse, lions, unlike elephants, which are far more numerous, have virtually no protection under government mandate or through international accords. This is the jumping-off point for a disturbing, well-researched and beautifully made cri de coeur from husband and wife team Dereck and Beverly Joubert, award-winning filmmakers from Botswana who have been Explorers-in-Residence at National Geographic for more than four years. Pointing to poaching as a primary threat while noting the lion’s pride of place on the list for eco-tourists-an industry that brings in 200 billion dollars per year worldwide-the Jouberts build a solid case for both the moral duty we have to protect lions (as well as other threatened “big cats,” tigers among them) and the economic sense such protection would make. And when one takes into account the fact that big cats are at the very top of the food chain-and that their elimination would wreak havoc on all species below them, causing a complete ecosystem collapse-the need takes on a supreme urgency.”
View it on documentary mania after you view the preview below.
The Last LionsNamibia, conservation first – COVID chronicles
Namibia is one of Africa’s outstanding conservation success stories and our dear friend, Tristan who runs one of the best safari services is behind the Conservation Travel Foundation. My words cannot rival Tristan’s ..
“We now invest 2.5 million Namibian Rand annually into Namibian conservation and believe that one of Namibia’s greatest assets is its conservation success, be it private, conservancy or public sectors; it is in everyone’s genetic make-up here. Our mission now is to broadcast Namibia’s conservation story especially during COVID-19.
Being resourceful types we have rounded up a posse of incredible selfless individuals, all of whom have offered their skills and resources for the greater Namibian good without any monies exchanging hands – Jens and Joost Schneider who intend to use the opportunity to platform their start-up: The Namibia Travel Channel; Pascal Supply, whose business – Capture Namibia – rents high-end photographic equipment and Lila Swanepoel, one of Namibia’s most skilled filming and editing personalities. Ultimate Safaris’ own renowned legendary guides are involved in the project as well, and these deeply experienced safari leaders with a wealth of knowledge and plenty of anecdotes to share will be presenting Namibia’s conservation success story whilst this incredible team travel around Namibia over at least the next 6 months. As the team make their way around the vast and untamed land they’ll be regaling viewers with their tallest campfire stories, their intimate knowledge of nature and natural processes, and rare encounters with the personalities and organisations that drive Namibia’s award-winning conservation efforts.
NAMIBIA, CONSERVATION FIRST – COVID CHRONICLES is an Ultimate Safaris produced real-life Conservation Travel series, documenting the current realtime behind the scenes life of active conservation in Namibia, putting CONSERVATION FIRST. This is your invitation to be part of our almost daily virtual life-enriching journey and exploration into environments few have seen before, ultimately taking you behind-the-scenes of Namibia’s conservation engine room.
Please see here a preview of what lies ahead, and join us on our social media channels for broadcasts as follows (starting on Monday, 18th May 2020 at 16h00 CAT for the first introductory episode):
Monday – Friday
16h00 CAT
DAILY EPISODES
Sundays
16h00 CAT
WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS REEL
We look forward to you joining us on this life-enriching journey.
Remember, Namibia needs YOU, and we look forward to welcoming you back in person when all of this is over.
Yours in conservation,
Tristan Cowley
Managing Director
Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe
Immerse yourself in one of the most spectacular national parks of southern Africa. Mana Pools boasts spectacular scenery and wildlife. Did you know it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage site? This wonderful film transports you to Mana Pools, the ideal place to enjoy nature and wildlife in close proximity – on TV for now.
The film is set to a soothing background sound to transport you into relaxation and holiday mode while viewing some of Africa’s finest wilderness and wildlife.